Wrapping Paper Bows

Have you ever had a strip of wrapping paper leftover after you've wrapped a gift? Don't toss it in the trash! Turn that scrap into a beautiful EASY bow in just a minute or two.

This technique is very inexact. Start by folding the scrap of paper "hamburger" style with the printed side on the outside. (My daughter came home from Kindergarten years ago and told me about "hamburger" folding and "hot dog" folding. "Hamburger" means width-wise and "hot dog" means lengthwise.)

Fold it again, but this time "hot dog" style. Cut through the newly folded edge (on the right side in this case.) If your paper is still too wide, fold it again (also "hot dog" style) cutting through all the vertical folds. You should only have a fold at the top (which is your original "hamburger" fold.)

Next, cut vertically up to (NOT THROUGH) the top folded edge. I cut up to about 1/2 inch from the folded edge. Again, this does not have to be perfect. Guesstimate.

The finished bow depends entirely on the width of your cuts and the length of your scrap of paper. I can never make the same bow twice. Experiment. Don't worry about cutting straight lines. You want a messy look.

CAREFULLY curl the wrapping paper (like you would curling ribbon) by quickly pulling a strip between the blade of your scissors and your thumb. Turn the bow over as needed to make sure the back side of your paper is always inside the curl.

Don't worry if you accidentally cut off several pieces. I do it all the time and it doesn't make a bit of difference in the finished product. (See the strips laying on the table?)

At this point the bow will look something like this:

Fold it in half one more time and give it a little shake.

Tape it onto your gift and arrange the curls as needed.

Here are a few others:

This is my kind of crafting--quick, easy, and inexpensive.